Business View Magazine - March 2016

94 Business View Magazine - April 2016 Business View Magazine - April 2016 95 is because there are other, similar associations in the state that represent the larger enterprises that make up its “continuing care retirement communities and larger campuses” “Their associations consist of larger properties that have independent living, as well as as- sisted living facilities, and nursing homes; and others maybe even a nursing home and assisted living all on the same campus,” he says. But, in terms of stand-alone assisted living facilities, Haston posits a less laudable rationale for not join- ing FALA. “I think the most important thing, regarding lack of membership, is probably associated with non- members believing that they are not affected by any adverse regulations and that those that are part of the Association will ensure that that won’t happen to them. It’s a mentality: ‘I don’t have to do anything, be- cause I have someone else to do it for me.’ Some think that they can operate on an island by themselves until AHCA comes and informs them that they can no longer operate on that island because they’re not aware that rules and statutes have changed. They’re not aware that there are things going on in Tallahassee that af- fects their business.” All of FALA’s policies and positions are established by its Board of Directors, made up of assisted living and adult family care home owners, and ancillary provid- ers. However, all issues of major importance to the in- dustry are always addressed based on the interests of the membership as a whole. The Association’s staff of five is augmented by four independent contractors, and two full-time lobbyists from the firm of Greenberg Traurig. Its revenue comes from membership dues, educational and training programs, and consulting services. Haston believes that the assisted living sector in Flori- da will only continue to grow bigger. “As the baby boom- ers continue to move to Florida, we’ll see tremendous growth in assisted living,” he maintains. He points out that, Orlando, for example, has about a dozen new assisted living facilities planned for over the next two years. And as the industry grows, Haston hopes that FALA will continue to be its voice and guide. “We provide a lot of services to our members,” he says. “We’ve been around long enough and we have a lot of institutional knowledge that we want to share. We encourage best practices in the industry. We want to see our members grow. We want to see them very profitable. We also want to make sure that they’re taking care of the resi- dents entrusted to their care.” Our members want to see seniors living with dignity, respect and most of all, purpose.